Friday, July 28, 2006

A babelfish translation seems to indicate Yuliesky Gourriel has defected to Colombia. Spanish in the link, Babelfish below:

CARTAGENA, Colombia. - The Cuban peloteros Yulieski Gurriel and Eduardo Paret would have deserted in the Colombian port of Cartagena, seat XX the Central American Games and the Caribbean, it assured east Friday the local press. “One of the members of the Cuban novena that deserted would be stellar the second base Yulieski Gurriel considered like one of the best ones of the world in its position. Apparently, its next destiny would be the equipment of the Yankees, New York “, informed the newspaper the Time into Bogota. According to the newspaper, “the other deserter of the Cuban equipment would be paracorto Eduardo Paret”. Tuesday, the Cuban sportsmen Damaris Nay, Julio Acosta and Carlos Castle deserted in Dominican, subhost Republic for the competitions of handball in XX the Central American Games and of the Caribbean

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Quickie translation, from your resident Latin American (who amongst other things is a certified public translator in Panama):

Two Ballplayers may have asked for asylum in Colombia (TR. Note - I'm translating "Desertar" as asking for asylum).

Cuban ballplayers Yulieski Gurriel and Eduardo Parret may have asked for asylum in the Colombian Port of Cartagena, where the XXth Central American and Caribbean games are being held, according to local press reports this friday.

"One of the members of the Cuban squad which deserted would be the star second baseman Yulieski Gurriel, considered to be one of the best in the world at his position. Apparently, his next destination will be the New York Yankees", as per El Tiempo de Bogotá.

According to the newspaper, "the other deserter of the Cuban team will be shortstop Eduardo Paret".

On tuesday, Cuban athletes Damaris Nay, Julio Acosta y Carlos Castillo asked for asylum in the Dominican Republic, subhost for handball of the XXth Central American and Caribbean games.

Mr. Lerner, Mr. Kasten: make an offer to Mr. Gurriel that blows Steinbrenner out of the water. After all, Washington has a tradition of bringing in Cuban ballplayers. And if it means keeping Livan, do that, too.

So what's the story on Gurriel again? He was playing 2B in the WBC, but isn't his natural position 3B or even SS? I seem to remember him conceding that position to another more established hitter in the WBC.

So what's the story on Gurriel again? He was playing 2B in the WBC, but isn't his natural position 3B or even SS? I seem to remember him conceding that position to another more established hitter in the WBC.

Correct; I don't have the final 2005-2006 stats on hand, but I looked him up at the time of WBC, and he had exclusively played 3B for his Cuban club team during the 2004-2005, and 2005-2006 (up to that point) seasons.